Week of December 20–26, 2025

Each week, we step back from the churn of daily headlines and look at five developments that help frame what is actually happening in the world. Even in the quiet stretch between holidays, global events continue to unfold across security, economics, climate, and sport.

✈️ 🇺🇸 1. U.S. conducts airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria

The United States carried out coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria on December 25, working alongside Nigerian forces to target insurgent camps. Officials described the operation as part of broader counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.

Why it matters: The strikes mark a notable escalation of U.S. involvement in regional security efforts and reflect growing concern over extremist expansion in the Sahel and surrounding regions.

⚖️ 📉 2. U.S. stock markets remain resilient through holiday trading

Despite shortened trading weeks around Christmas, U.S. markets remained near record highs between December 24 and 26. Investors continued to focus on artificial intelligence investment, corporate earnings outlooks, and expectations of future interest-rate cuts.

Why it matters: Sustained market confidence during thin holiday trading suggests investors are looking past short-term uncertainty and positioning for longer-term structural growth themes.

🌨️ ❄️ 3. Major winter storm disrupts travel and power across North America

A powerful winter storm swept across eastern Canada and the northeastern United States over Christmas weekend, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain, flight cancellations, and widespread power outages. Several regions declared states of emergency as infrastructure strained under extreme conditions.

Why it matters: Severe winter weather continues to test transportation systems, energy grids, and emergency preparedness, reinforcing concerns about infrastructure resilience in a changing climate.

🏆 🏅 4. Women’s Handball World Championship concludes in Europe

The 2025 Women’s Handball World Championship wrapped up during the holiday week, following weeks of competition hosted jointly by Germany and the Netherlands. Thirty-two national teams participated, drawing growing international attention to the sport.

Why it matters: The tournament highlights the continued rise of women’s international sport and the expanding audience for competitions beyond the traditional global sports calendar.

🏟️ 🎯 5. World Darts Championship advances through holiday rounds

The 2025–26 World Darts Championship continued through its early rounds between December 20 and 26, featuring a 128-player field and a multi-million-pound prize fund. The event remains one of the most watched and commercially successful competitions in the sport.

Why it matters: Darts illustrates how so-called niche sports can build massive global followings, blending entertainment, professionalism, and evolving athlete careers.

Closing thought:
From counterterrorism operations and market confidence to winter storms and international sport, this week reminds us that the world does not slow down for the holidays. The forces shaping 2026 are already in motion — sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically — even as the calendar turns.

Five Things is a weekly Rowanwood Chronicles feature tracking global developments from Saturday to Friday.